Raw Ranch-like Dressing
I was really missing ranch dressing. I'm not vegan, but I use dairy sparingly. All of the non-dairy recipes I could find use tofu and soy milk, things I avoid. So I decided to try using the almonds I had soaking to create a healthier substitute. While nothing replaces the flavor of buttermilk and real mayo, this was a good sub for me. It was thick, creamy, ranch-ish. It satisfied my craving while giving me a boost of heart healthy nutrients rather than a boost of artery clogging fat and cancer promoting animal protein.
This can be left thick and makes a great dip for raw veggies, or thinned with a little more water for a dressing.
If you grow houseplants or happen to be starting seeds indoors for your garden like I am, here's a little tip- when draining off the soak water from soaking nuts or sprouting seeds, use it to water your plants. My plants love it!
Raw Ranch-like Dressing
3/4 c. raw almonds, soaked overnight and drained
juice of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 T. dried parsley
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/3 to 1/2 water, depending on how thick you like it
black pepper to taste
Place everything in food processor and puree till smooth, adding water a little at a time until you get the desired consistency.
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11 comments:
I've been avoiding dairy myself, using almond milk in my coffee, etc. I'll be giving his a try. I love Ranch, but not the calories and fat. Thanks!
Mother Rimmy, thanks for your comment! I hope you enjoy this, it really hit the spot for us:)
Very creative recipe! How did you ever come up with the idea to use almonds? So, I'm curious, are you allergic to soy and that's why you avoid soy milk and tofu?
Blessedmama, thanks! I've been making my own salad dressings for years, it's easy and the commercial ones contain too much junk for my liking. I don't know what took me so long to try a ranch type one though. I had the almonds already soaking, and just thought I'd give it a go.
I am not allergic to soy. But I only use fermented soy- like organic tempeh and miso.
It is made from whole organic soybeans (not genetically modified), has been fermented to remove phytates and trypsin inhibitors, and has been safely consumed for thousands of years. Tofu, soy milk and tvp retain phytates and trypsin inhibitors which block the body from absorbing minerals and nutrients. Tvp and commercial soy milk are highly processed using chemicals that should not be consumed. Many commercial soy products including ones that contain organic ingredients contain hexane residues. There is an interesting article here :
http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/05/soy-report-and-scorecard/
about the use of neurotoxic hexane used in the processing of some soy products.
Wow, this looks like a great recipe. I've never been a ranch dressing fan, but this looks like one I have to try.
And thanks for the tip about using the sprout/soaking water for plants...that's a good idea...I'll be trying that as well.
Rose, thanks! This dressing is ranch-ish, not exactly like ranch, so if you aren't a ranch fan I'm guessing you'll still like it.
My plants really seem to like the soaking water, I use it on my houseplants as well. I look forward to seeing more of your garden posts!
Janet,
Raw cashews, pine nuts and macadamia nuts also make good dressings if you want to play around with those. Most of the time I use soaked raw cashews for dressing. Your dressing sounds good!
Alicia
This sounds delicious!!!!
I never thought about raw ranch dresing!!!
Yumm!
As for the soy milk being really super processed with bad chemicals, would you say the same goes for almond milk, hemp milk, rice milk, whole grain milk, etc?
Alicia, thanks, I often add nuts to my salads, but don't usually make dressings from them. I do love cashews, maybe I'll try those next.
VivaciousVegan, thanks so much!
starile, thanks for your question. I don't use commercial milk replacers at all, and my next post will go into the reasons.
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